City of New Rochelle Offers One-Day Conditional Amnesty Program – Eliminates Fines and Interest on Back Taxes. Waves All Parking Fines and Building Permit Fees

New Rochelle, NY — The City of New Rochelle announced today a conditional Amnesty Program, available to New Rochelle residents only, for elimination of all late payment fees and interest on property taxes and a waiver on all parking fines going back to June 2010 along with a program under which residents can obtain at no charge Certificates of Occupancy to close out all open building permits prior to March 16, 2003. This according to a Press Announcement issued by City Communications Director Kathy Gilwit.

“It’s been a rough winter for all us”, said City Manager Chuck Strome. “This was our way of giving something back to New Rochelle residents. It’s going to cost us a bundle but it’s well worth it.”

The City is owed millions of dollars in back taxes so the amnesty program will save delinquent property owners thousands of dollars each.

Parking fines have been a major issue in New Rochelle ever since the City adopted new downtown parking requirements to address the problem of tax-abated Avalon residents parking on the streets rather than in the lots provided by their buildings.

Talk of the Sound spoke with Will McOrton, a downtown resident residing in Avalon Two, as he attempted to wedge his Ford Expedition into a too-tight parking space near Cormondel restaurant on Division Street.

“When me, my wife and 3 kids first moved into the Avalon several years ago” said McOrton, “we realized we could save hundreds of dollars of month just parking are SUVs on the street overnight. When they switched policies we just tossed the parking tickets in the trash so this is sure to save us quite a bit of money.”

With over three thousand open building permits in the City of New Rochelle, the decision to offer residents a chance to close out their permits and get a legitimate Certificate of Occupancy at no cost will be a boon to many property owners in New Rochelle.

“We are requiring all staff to remain at City Hall until 5:00 p.m. today in order to handle the expected rush of applicants,” said Paul Vacca Deputy Commissioner Building Official.

According to New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, the Amnesty Program will provide the City with a “net benefit” of $7.5mm. As a result all police, fire and sanitation workers will be terminated effective immediately. Residents are advised to fend for themselves.

The Department of Public Works is asking that all trash be heated, compacted and then placed in potholes as hot patch.

For further information on forming neighborhood associations into armed militias and bucket brigades please contact City Clerk Bennie Giles at (914) 654-2159.

The Amnesty Program ends April 1, 2011.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The program will be the topic of discussion on Talk of the Sound Radio Friday at 11 am on WVOX 1460 AM and WVOX.com.